Religion and Spirituality

 

Photo Credit: QuotesGram

Religion and Spirituality

Both religion and spirituality have been the subject of discussion and debate over the centuries. Do they mean the same thing or are they different? Religions were created by the followers of spiritual persons such as Jesus, Buddha, Mahavir, Guru Nanak, Mohammad, and so on. During their times these men of the ages guided the people of their times on certain principles and philosophies on how to find God, that is how to merge with the God within. All of them taught human values of selfless love, kindness, humanity and to go within and find God.

These stalwarts were never understood during their lifetime and after their passing away religions were formed based on doctrines of humanity. Over time these were corrupted as religious wars became a norm to showcase their superiority over other religions. All the Abrahamic religions fought wars and killed millions and millions of people in the name of God – knowing full well that it is against the laws of humanity – in the end it all became a game of power and control over the minds of people leading to coffers of churches, mosques and temples being filled through contributions from the faithful.

The Sanatan dharma from India or Bharat as it was called in the ancient times is the only surviving ancient way of life which actually tells us that there are a million ways to find God – it could be anyone or anything you willed it to be - it could be a tree, an animal, the sun, the moon, any form that you accept could be the path to find your God. You had the right to question every aspect of life and that is how Ashtanga Yoga, meditation came to be known as the path to inner peace. India has had thousands of sages who have shown the way and explored their own inner realms, these are all well documented in the ancient scriptures.

Blind faith is frowned upon, the Guru-disciple system ensured that disciples gained spiritual insights at the feet of their Master. Even today, India has spiritual Gurus talking about Universal Consciousness, teaching meditation and leading people on the path to inner peace globally. A shift in consciousness is taking place as more and more people across the world are learning to meditate and seek the core within themselves.

Spirituality is all about finding your own self, lighting that spark within you which through continuous spiritual practice becomes a radiant light which automatically lights other lamps which come within range of that light. Today, we have Shree Shivkrupanand Swami, Sadhguru, Sri M, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Amma, etc who travel all over the world lighting eager lamps waiting to be lit. The present time is one of mass awakening and thousands and thousands of people are joining – they don’t understand the language spoken, but they do understand the vibrations felt during the discourses and during meditation. 

Religions are just methods of worship and may become paths to spirituality, whereas spirituality is all about being human and lighting your own inner lamp and ultimately merging with universal consciousness. The spiritual journey is endless as universal consciousness itself is continuously expanding – this journey keeps opening newer and newer dimensions as you progress on this endless journey of self discovery.